Military K-9 Support

This program started in 2009 as an idea from our member Barb Millhouse who lost a grandson (Bryan Thomas) to an IED (improvised explosive device) in Iraq on September 4, 2008. It is our intent to support the dogs and handlers that help identify these terrible devices and other threats to our military personnel.

The Dynamic Dog club supports Military K-9 units in concert with Operation Shoebox, using their facility in Belleview, Florida, for final packing, customs declaration and shipment. Our support consists of packaging personal items for both dogs and handlers in handmade ditty bags.

The dog's ditty bags (marked K-9) contains a Furminator, large toys like Kongs, treats and anything specifically requested by the Unit. We've shipped blinking UV lights to identify dogs during night operations, a gallon of dog shampoo packaged so it could be air-dropped to a remote site and collapsible water bowls to name just a few of the special requests.

The ditty bags are then consolidated into boxes based on final destination. In each box we place dog crate pads produced by The Chatham Quilters (a local quilting club). These boxes are then mailed to the military post office consolidation site (APO) in New York City.

We have made 42 shipments to K-9 Teams overseas. Those shipments have included over 200 K-9 bags, 190 handler bags, over 150 dog crate pads and miscellaneous items stuffed in the boxes.

We estimate our mailing expenses at $1,800 which has been generously funded by donations.

All of the items packed in those ditty bags are purchased using Dynamic Dog Club funds that were raised specifically for Military K-9 support. Generous financial donations to cover postage and to purchase specific items are needed and truly appreciated.

The Dynamic Dog Club's support of this program is truly a labor of love to honor the brave men and women who handle the dogs that protect others who are in harm's way.